View source for Type 72Z

{{distinguish|text=the Soviet [[T-72]] tank}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Type 72Z
| image = SafirTank.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = Safir-74 with a DShK mounted on top during a military parade.
| type = [[Main battle tank]]
| origin = [[Iran]]
| is_vehicle = yes
| manufacturer = [[Defense Industries Organization]], [[Military Industry Corporation]]
| used_by = See [[Type-72Z Safir-74#Operators|Operators]]
| wars    = [[Sudanese civil war (2023–present)]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brahy |first1=Jérôme |title=Sudanese Army continues to deploy Iranian-made T-72Z main battle tanks in the ongoing civil war |url=https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/sudanese-army-continues-to-deploy-iranian-made-t-72z-main-battle-tanks-in-the-ongoing-civil-war |website=armyrecognition.com |access-date=11 April 2025 |language=en-gb}}</ref>
| design_date = 
| production_date = 1996–present
| number = about 400<ref name="t"/>
| variants = See [[Type-72Z Safir-74#Variants|Variants]]
| length = 6.45m
| width = 3.37m
| height = 2.40m
| weight = 36 tonnes<ref name="GS"/>
| suspension = [[Torsion bar]]
| speed = 65 km/h
| vehicle_range = 440 km
| primary_armament = 105mm [[Royal Ordnance L7#Variants|M68]] rifled tank gun<ref name="FAS"/>
| secondary_armament = 7.62mm [[coaxial]] [[PKT machine gun|PKT]] and roof-mounted 12.7mm [[DShKM]] machine guns<ref name="FAS"/>
| armour = 203 mm front of the turret<br>150 mm sides of the turret<br>64 mm rear of the turret<br>39 mm top of the turret<br>97 mm upper front of the hull<br>99 mm lower front of the hull<br>79 mm upper sides of the hull<br>20 mm lower sides of the hull<br>46 mm rear of the hull<br>20 mm floor of the hull{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}<br>fitted with [[explosive reactive armour|ERA]]<ref name="FAS"/>
| engine = V-46-6 V-12 diesel<ref name="GS"/>
| engine_power = 780 hp<ref name="FAS"/> (630 kW)
| crew = 3-4
| pw_ratio = 21.66hp/tonne
}}
{{T-54/55 navigation}}
The '''Type 72Z''' tank (also known as the '''T-72Z''' and the '''Safir-74''',<ref name="AR" /> and the '''Al-Zubair I''' in Sudan)<ref name="FAS" /> is a highly modernized version of the [[Type 59 tank|Type 59]] and [[T-54/T-55]] tanks,<ref name="AR" /> with upgrades carried out by the Iranian [[Defense Industries Organization]].<ref name="GS">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/safir-74.htm|title=T-72Z Safir-74|first=John|last=Pike|website=Globalsecurity.org|accessdate=26 June 2017}}</ref>

The tank is not to be confused with an Iraqi modernization also known as ''T-72Z'', said to carry a 125 mm gun.<ref name="JED The Military Equipment Directory">{{Cite web |url=http://www.jedsite.info/tanks-tango/tango-numbers-su/t-55_series/t55-series.html |title=JED The Military Equipment Directory |access-date=30 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010033549/http://www.jedsite.info/tanks-tango/tango-numbers-su/t-55_series/t55-series.html |archive-date=10 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==
{{expand section|date=June 2017}}
The Type 72Z was first announced by the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] in 1996.<ref name="AR">{{cite web|title=Safir-74 / Type 72Z T-72Z main battle tank|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/iran_iranian_army_heavy_armoured_main_battle_tank_uk/safir-74_t-72z_type_72z_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_specifications_description_pictures.html|website=armyrecognition.com|publisher=Army Recognition|accessdate=4 July 2017|date=19 November 2011}}</ref> The upgrades to the Type 59 and T-54/T-55 tanks were carried out by the Vehicle Industries Group of the Defence Industries Organization, in order to extend the service life of tanks already in use with the [[Iranian army]].<ref name="GS" />

==Upgrades==
The 100mm gun of the T-55/Type 59 was replaced with an Iranian-produced derivative of the [[Royal Ordnance L7#Variants|105mm M68]] gun, capable of firing [[9M117 Bastion]] [[anti-tank guided missile]]s as well as NATO standard ammunition.<ref name="GS" /><ref name="FAS" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/tank/Type59.html|title=Type 59 Main Battle Tank|website=Inetres.com|accessdate=26 June 2017}}</ref> The Slovenian Fotona Electronic Fire Control System (EFCS-3-55) was added, with automatic and manual [[gun stabilizer]]s, a [[laser rangefinder]], [[Night vision device#Generation 2 (GEN II)|second-generation night sights]], a ballistic computer, and an independent viewer and target designation system for the commander.<ref name="GS" /><ref name="FAS">{{cite web|last1=Pike|first1=John|last2=Sherman|first2=Robert|title=Type 59|url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-59.htm|publisher=Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network|website=fas.org|accessdate=25 June 2017|date=18 June 1999}}</ref><ref name="AR" /> Electric [[smoke grenade discharger]]s were also added to provide concealment on top of the existing ability to create a [[smoke screen]] by injecting diesel fuel into the left exhaust outlet.<ref name="GS" /><ref name="FAS" /><ref name="MF">{{cite web|url=http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=606|title=DIO T-72Z (T-55) Main Battle Tank (MBT)|website=Militaryfactory.com|accessdate=26 June 2017}}</ref>

[[Explosive reactive armor]] (ERA) developed by the Shahid Kolah Dooz Industrial Complex can be fitted to the Type 72Z, providing protection against projectiles and napalm-type weapons. Side track skirts similar to those on the Type 59 were added to T-54/T-55 tanks upgraded with ERA. <ref name="GS" />

The engine was replaced with a Ukrainian 780&nbsp;hp V46-6 diesel engine,<ref name="FAS" /><ref name="AR" /> together with the SPAT-1200 transmission system.<ref name="GS" /> Air conditioning, power steering and a fire suppression system are also believed to have been installed.<ref name="MF" />

==Variants==
* '''Safir-74''' - Iranian [[T-54/T-55]] tanks which have gone through similar upgrades.<ref name="AR" /> Safir means "messenger" in [[Persian language|Persian]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Cordesman|first1=Anthony H.|title=Iran's Military Forces in Transition: Conventional Threats and Weapons of Mass Destruction|page=133}}</ref>
* '''Al-Zubair I''' - Sudanese variant of the Type 72Z manufactured by the [[Military Industry Corporation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/modern/Iran/Safir-74.php|title=Safir-74 - Tank Encyclopedia|website=Tanks-encyclopedia.com|accessdate=26 June 2017}}</ref> with the engine upgraded with a [[supercharger]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Al-Zubair-I Main Battle Tank DAA02|url=http://mic.sd/en/product/productDetails/28|publisher=Military Industry Corporation|accessdate=8 November 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717074102/http://mic.sd/en/product/productDetails/28|archivedate=2017-07-17}}</ref>

== Operators ==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

[[File:Safir-72 operators.png|thumb|400px|Map of Type 72Z operators in blue]]

* {{flag|Iran}}<ref name="AR" />
** [[Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]]<ref name="t">Galen Wright (15 March 2011) ''Iranian Military Capability 2011 - Ground Forces''</ref>
** [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces]]<ref name="t" />
* {{flag|Sudan}}: First purchased in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artileri.org/2014/02/iran-memproduksi-senjata-dan-peralatan-militer-canggih.html|title=Iran Memproduksi Senjata dan Peralatan Militer Canggih untuk Pasar Dalam dan Luar Negeri|website=Artileri.org|accessdate=26 June 2017}}</ref>

===Non-state operators===

* {{flagicon image}} [[Kata'ib Hezbollah]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2015/03/13/irans-expanding-sphere-of-influence-iranian-t-72-tanks-in-iraq/|title=Iran's Expanding Sphere of Influence: Iranian T-72 Tanks in Iraq|date=13 March 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Karrar (tank)|Karrar MBT]]
* [[Tiam (tank)|Tiam MBT]]
* [[Zulfiqar (tank)|Zulfiqar MBT]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


{{commons category|T-72Z}}

[[Category:Main battle tanks of Iran]]
[[Category:Post–Cold War main battle tanks]]
[[Category:Iran–Soviet Union relations]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1990s]]
{{Iran-mil-stub}}{{Cold War tanks}}{{Post-Cold War tanks}}{{T-54/T-55_navigation|style=wide}}